Where we're Going

[Lokishadow]

Bolty,

It has been some time and a LOT of life-changing events since I visited the Lounge. Thanks for keeping my account active, by the by. And, my most sincere of apologies for not keeping up.

Anyway, I read your ginormous post, and I agree. User-assisted content generation is a spectacular idea. Go with it. I vote YES. That is, if you're bothering with a vote.

I would be willing to help with editing, but being in the midst of college, joblessness, and single dad-dom, I just don't think I would have the time to help out. Witness my awesome three posts since my last login. Be that as it may, I'm here to help as I can.

To that end, I would suggest this:

Figure out a way to get all user-generated submissions sent to one point where any editor can select a submission and work on it. Once an editor begins working on the submission, it is pulled from the list to prevent double-postings of the same story. If the editor decides that there is too much in the submission for him/her to handle, then there needs to be a way to back out and put the submission back in for other editors to pick, or a way to collaborate with other editors.

This would allow those who are trusted as editors to help when they have the time, and also not negatively impact the site if they take a vacation or the latest breed of Windows doesn't like the Lounge.

As to the site redesign:

Dude! WHERE IS THE FRAKKIN' D3 FORUM?! I know, I know. Nobody knows when it's coming out. But have you SEEN the latest gameplay video? It's like a half-hour long!

Whoops, sorry. Got a little distracted. Anyway, check out the theme for Blizzard's D3 site. Why couldn't we set up the site with a similar color pattern? I'd also like to see some sort of streamed content from the Blizzard site, or maybe an RSS feed, regarding the latest Diablo developments. Yes, the Lounge needs an overhaul, and badly. Today's Internet is a vastly more graphically intensive place than it was in the D2: pre-1.07 (*cough* debacle! *cough*) days. The current overhaul is aging, I'm sure, but it's pretty new to me. That said, it's horribly bland by today's 'net standards. It needs color, themes, graphics, feeds, sound, and other stuff.

I'm floored at the lack of ads, I must say.

Why not give Blizzard some adspace on here? I wouldn't mind seeing a single banner for Blizzard's latest project at the top of the page, and it might help foot the bill for the site. Clickthroughs, baby!

I know that seems a bit like a sell-out stance, but I'm saying restrict it to products of companies that produce games which will be covered on this site. Maybe each time the site is looking at allowing a new advertiser, the Editors can post a poll and let the Lurkers decide.

Okay, so I've rambled a bit, but here's a handy summary:

1) YES, switch to user-generated front-page content.
2) YES, have Editors from trusted members working on the front-page content.
3) OVERHAUL: YES. I advise pulling themes and colors from the D3 homepage. It will help identify the LL.
a) RSS Feeds
B)Streaming content (videos/music from Blizzard)
c) Artwork. See if Blizzard will let you pull some from the official site for backdrops or buttons.
4) Ads. Let the users decide, via poll, if an advertiser will be accepted. And only allow ads by companies who's products will be discussed here.

Anyway, I hope that helps! No, I didn't read all the responses.
-Loki